Ice cream. It's the perfect cure for the summertime blues and the treat that makes a good day even better. According to the experts at Serving-Ice-Cream.com, kids between 2 and 12, and adults over 45, eat the most ice cream per person, proof positive that kids and grandparents go together like vanilla and sprinkles.
We recently asked you for the scoop on your favorite destinations for ice cream and other cool treats. There wasn't room to include them all, but here's a sampling of the best of the best. We hope you'll find a shop that's close to you, and treat yourselves and the kids to some delicious memories soon.
Homer's Homemade Gourmet Ice Cream
Wilmette, Ill.
Since opening in 1935, Homer’s has been a local favorite. In fact, one of Chicago’s most notorious citizens, Al Capone, is said to have been a regular customer. Maybe that’s because the ice cream is criminally good. Brothers Steve and Dean Poulos carry on their father’s dream of serving the best ice cream in the Chicago area. According to Dean, "Prominent dignitaries and entertainment stars religiously request varieties of Homer's Ice Creams sent to hotel suites, private homes, and assorted entourages when in Chicago.” With flavors like Prairie Berry, Banana Macadamia Nut Chip, and Burgundy Cherry, we're not surprised. And if you can’t get to Homer’s, they’ll come to you. Check the website to have pints of your favorite flavors delivered.
Twin Kiss Creamery
Shermans Dale, Pa.
Hankering for a taste of classic Americana? Until someone perfects a time machine, you can take a trip to the Twin Kiss Creamery. The shop's walls are lined with photos of the area from the 1950s and 60s. Local ball teams still flock here for hot dogs and root beer after games, but it's the homemade hand-dipped ice cream – served in waffle cones that also are made on the premises – that makes Twin Kiss a standout. The flavors are classics, too, with staples like Butter Pecan, Chocolate Chip, and Peanut Butter. For a bit of local flavor, try the Teaberry. The shop is family-owned and operated and the staff has a knack for remembering every customer’s favorite.
Weldon’s Ice Cream Factory
Millersport, Ohio (Buckeye Lake)
The Ice Cream Factory opened for business in 1930. Throughout the next two decades, Millerstown was a regular stop for all the Big Bands of the day. The jukebox in the Ice Cream Factory still features the music of greats like Tommy Dorsey and Ella Fitzgerald. In fact, with the exception of some fresh paint and new fixtures, the shop remains much the same as it was when it opened more than 80 years ago. Whimsical, child-pleasing flavors like Playdough (blue vanilla ice cream with chunks of multi-colored sugar cookie dough) and Cotton Candy, and local treats like Buckeye Blitz (chocolate ice cream with milk fudge swirl and pieces of peanut butter cup) and Crawdad Tracks (vanilla ice cream with fudge and butter roasted pecans) are still dispensed over the original counter and enjoyed in the comfortable booths or on the wide front porch.
Cowabunga Ice Cream
Forked River, N.J.
Ellen Schack, founder and CEO of the eponymous ice cream brand, says when she chose the name, made popular by surfers and fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, for her Jersey Shore shop, she wanted to convey “the fun and relaxed sensibility of surfing and beach culture.” Today Cowabunga ships its products nationwide and prides itself on “designer ice cream.” They coined this phrase for the premium ice cream they serve in their flagship store, which is now shipped around the country. Check out the Rodeo Drive Designer flavors with kid-pleasers like Cookie Dough and Cake Batter, or the all-chocolate Madison Avenue Line. The South Beach R.E.A.L. Yogurt Line, with tempters like Red Velvet Cake and Chocolate Cable Car, is low-fat and also contains probiotics.
Broom's Bloom Dairy
Bel Air, Md.
When David and Kate Dallam took over the family business, which dates back to the 1700s, they decided to share the farm’s bounty in a new way. Ice cream lovers of all ages are glad they did. Kate says that grandparents and grandkids are some of Broom's Bloom Dairy's best customers. The grown-ups gravitate to flavors like Caramel Cashew and Maple Walnut, while the kids delight their palates with the chocolatey “Dirt” ice cream. After you’ve savored your ice cream, check out the other treats, like locally produced honey and spices, fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, and fresh flowers, or unique pottery, jewelry, and other gifts.
Berkey Creamery
University Park, Pa.
Four and a half million pounds of milk pass through the stainless steel holding tanks of Berkey Creamery, part of Penn State University, each year. In fact, it's the largest university creamery in the nation. Flavors change each week, so check the website or call ahead to see what’s available. If you’re lucky, you may get to try Berkey Brickle, which is vanilla ice cream studded with pieces of peanut butter brickle, and swirls of caramel. Portions are so generous you’ll have enough to share, though you may not want to.
Central Dairy
Jefferson City, Mo.
Folks in the “Show Me” state are sticklers for quality, so if a place has been serving ice cream since 1932 – as the Central Dairy in Jefferson City has – you can be sure they’re doing something right. The Dairy serves homemade ice cream and sherbet “fresh as a Missouri morning.” If you’re a chocolate lover, try the Muddy River: brownie batter ice cream swirled with butter fudge ribbon and sprinkled with chocolate truffles and white chocolate flakes. Or go for the gold with the Mother Lode: vanilla ice cream sprinkled with golden toffee nuggets and swirled veins of golden caramel fudge. Kids will love the colorful, tasty appeal of Birthday Cake: vanilla ice cream loaded with confetti cake pieces, tri-colored triple glazed sprinkles and swirled with a blue fudge ribbon.
The Bent Spoon
Princeton, N.J.
This destination site features artisan ice cream made fresh daily using the finest local ingredients. With kid-friendly favorites like Peanut Butter or Mint Cookie and more adult palate pleasers like Lavender Mascarpone or Chocolate Cardamom Orange it’s no wonder folks line up at The Bent Spoon. After you’ve settled on a flavor – these change daily but the staff is happy to offer samples! – take a look at the photos on the wall, which feature Bent Spoon ice cream fans wearing the logoed T-shirt at exotic locales around the world. The shop is small but if you and the kids don’t get a table inside, there are benches in the park across the street where you can enjoy your treats.
Sweet Moses Soda Fountain and Treat Shop
Cleveland, Ohio
At Sweet Moses, ice cream is churned and root beer is brewed on-site; even the hot fudge and caramel sauces are kettle-cooked in the store. Sidle up to the authentic Bastion-Blessings soda fountain or settle into a wrought-iron ice cream chair and order something yummy. There are phosphates, root beer floats, and signature sundaes like the Gordon Square – a homemade brownie with Bananas Foster ice cream smothered with warm caramel and hot fudge, or the Shoreway Sundae – coffee ice cream topped with hot fudge, toffee pieces and almonds. If you have enough grandkids in tow, tuck into The Terminal Tower, which features a whopping ten scoops of ice cream—one scoop of each classic Sweet Moses flavor—topped with almonds, pecans, sprinkles, and more.
Little Man Ice Cream
Denver, Colo.
At Little Man Ice Cream, not only can you have your ice cream and eat it, too, but you also can help feed others. When they opened for business, Little Man launched a program they call Scoop for Scoop; for every scoop of ice cream sold, the store donates a scoop of rice to a village in the Third World. In addition, they are active in local charitable outreach and sponsor fun events, like Hula Hoop competitions and pumpkin carving contests each fall. While hooks like these might get some folks through the door the first time, what keeps them coming back is the delicious, handmade ice cream, gelati and sorbets. Made from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients that are organic whenever possible, Little Man switches its delectable offerings every day.
Big Dipper Ice Cream
Helena, Mt.
If you’re from Montana, you probably already know the Big Dipper, where the motto is “If you can imagine a flavor ... we can make it.” The original store is in Missoula and, while it is THE place to see and be seen on a warm summer night, waiting in a long line isn’t ideal if you’re with the kids. Now there’s an alternative in the new store in Helena. Even the ceiling tiles here have character, and the retro décor, featuring shiny silver tables, adds to the fun. But, as in the original Big Dipper shop, it’s really about the ice cream. Flavors change daily but there’s always something for everyone. Creamy confections like Circus Animal Cookie and Bubblegum entice the younger palate, while those with more sophisticated tastes might want to try the Honey Porter, Saffron Almond or Red Tea Chocolate Chip.
Fentons Creamery
Oakland, CA
The Fenton family began delivering milk and cream by horse-drawn wagon in 1894. When they began making ice cream in 1922, they opened the soda fountain, which has been a community favorite ever since. In fact, Fentons Creamery is such a landmark institution that it was featured in the animated Academy Award-winning film Up.Try the signature Black and Tan Sundae, made with toasted almond ice cream. Fenton’s offers a half-hour Arctic Tour – complete with soda jerk hat, sticker, and ice cream – for a behind-the-scenes look at how ice cream is made. Call the number listed on the website for details.
Want a second opinion? See the the experts' choices for the country's best ice-cream shops
... and get the full scoop on ice cream from Grandparents.com:
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